Ely transfer no immediate impact on QBs

MOBILE, Ala. -- Phillip Ely was never really in the race to become the starting quarterback for the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2014. If he had, he never would have transferred to Toledo in the offseason.

UA coach Nick Saban's comments indicated as much at an event in Mobile, Ala., last week. Though he called Ely a "good player" on and off the field and a good clubhouse guy, it was clear that he wasn't the type of athlete who could take over for AJ McCarron and start in the SEC. As the co-No. 2 quarterback with Blake Sims last season, Ely attempted just four passes in six games.